Guide and sewing device for fabric layers along a shaped edge

ABSTRACT

An improved apparatus for guiding layers of fabric to be sewn along an edge of irregular configuration having clamping members for moving the work along a working plate to a sewing machine. The apparatus includes sensing elements for detecting irregularities in the edge to be sewn and mechanical driving elements operatively associated with the sensing elements and a stepping motor for orienting the work in the direction of the sewing elements of the sewing machine in timed sequence with the operating speed of the latter.

Nov. 25, 1975 United States Patent 11 1 Martorio XXXMXX 344235 SOOUSO27k 2 ///I|.// 222 22 lll l.[ m m m 4a. M l feta a 6.... M 06 m M m e hh "S 1.5 m.mh .W a u c h m md0.n. ue S A R K F B 552334 667777 999999 ll l l ll 5233003 1 [2 Filedl y 1974 Primary Examiner-H. Hampton Hunter[21] Appl. No.: 465,907

[57] ABSTRACT An improved apparatus for guiding layers of fabric toForeign Application Priority Data 243'66/73 be sewn along an edge ofirregular configuration having clamping members for moving the workalong a May 22, 1973 [52] US. Cl...... 112/121,]2; 112/153 working plateto a sewing machine. The apparatus in- [51 Im. D0513 21/00 chidesSensing elements for detecting irregularities in [58] Field of Search112/153, 136, 204, 205, the edge to be Sewn and mechanical drivingelements 121 11 operatively associated with the sensing elements and all2/l2l.l2, 121.15

stepping motor for orienting the work in the direction References Citedof the sewing elements of the sewing machine in timed UNITED STATESPATENTS sequence with the operating speed of the latter.

3,072,081 Milligan et 211...... 112 121L12 3 Claims, 5 Drawing FiguresUus Patent NOV. 25, 1975 SheetlofS 3,921,550

US. Patent Nov. 25, 1975 Sheet20f5 3,921,550

US, Patent Nov. 25, 1975 Sheet 3 of5 Patent Nov. 25, 1975 Sheet40f53,921,550

Sheet 5 of5 3,921,550

' US. Patent Nov. 25, 1975 GUIDE AND SEWING DEVICE FOR FABRIC LAYERSALONG A SHAPED EDGE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention relates toan improved guide and sewing device for sewing layers of fabric along anedge of irregular configuration. More particularly, the inventionprovides a means for forming assembly seams on two or more layers offabric having aligned edges and a curved profile which includes recessestherein.

There are known types of devices for forming assembly seams on layers offabric which include a working plate having a sewing machine of thecut-and-seam type mounted on one end thereof.

Above the working plate and in front of the sewing machine a guide withclamping devices for the layers of fabric is provided which includes twoparallel tracks ro tatable on a vertical axis and in a plane parallel tothe working plate. Each of the tracks include a clamping device slidablycarried thereon which is effective in maintaining the edges to be sewnin alignment.

The work is advanced on the working plate by lower feed elements of thesewing machine and by upper feed elements disposed forwardly of orrearwardly of the sewing parts.

Forwardly of the sewing machine and in close proximity with the sewingmachine, two photoelectric cells are provided which are assembled in theworking plate and disposed transversely to the direction of advance ofthe work.

During the sewing of a seam, the profile of the sewing edge must bemaintained between the two photoelectric cells for proper orientation ofthe work as it is advanced toward the sewing parts which requires thatone of the two photoelectric cells be deenergized and the otherenergized.

If, during the formation of an assembly seam both photoelectric cellsbecome energized or deenergized as a result of irregularities in theprofile of the work, then r a pneumatic device operatively associatedwith one of the photoelectric cells is activated and is effective inmoving the rotatable tracks in a direction corresponding to the dictatesof a particular photoelectric cell so as to reorient the work and eitherenergize or deenergize the other of the two photoelectric cells. Bymoving the tracks in this manner, the clamping devices slidably carriedthereon are caused to reorient the work on the working surface so thatthe profile of said work is again caused to be located between the twophotoelectric cells.

With devices of the type described above assembly seams along edges ofwork having a curved profile cannot be acurately formed when saidprofile possesses curves and recesses which are pronounced or acute.This is attributed to the pneumatic means utilized to move the tracks inone direction or the other for the substantial amount of inertiapossessed by the pneumatic means and the high speeds at which sewingmachines operate, creates a condition whereby the work cannot be shiftedquickly enough relative to said machines operating speed. In otherwords, when one of the photoelectric cells has initiated actuation ofthe pneumatic means to shift the work to sew along a first variation inthe profile thereof, a second variation frequently presents itselfbefore the work can be located and sewn for the first variation. Such acondition creates the problem of failing to form stitches in certainareas or forming them in areas where they should not be.

To correct these problems and to move and locate the profile of the workin proper orientation during its advance toward the sewing parts of thesewing machine, the technical problem to be solved is to provide meansfor displacement of the tracks having instant response to signals by thephotoelectric cells and to reduce to a minimum the inertia of mechanicalconnections between said means and the rotatable tracks.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The technical problem has been solved by theimproved device which is the subject of the invention for guiding andsewing layers of fabric along an edge of irregular configuration. Thedevice includes a working plate for supporting layers of fabric as theyare advanced toward a sewing machine, and a guide device with clampingmeans for orientation of the profile of the work in the direction of thesewing parts of the sewing machine. The device further includes astepping motor, and sensing elements transversely disposed relative tothe direction of advance of the work and in close proximity with thesewing parts of the sewing machine for sensing irregularities in theprofile of the work and to control starting of the stepping motor.Mechanical BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspectiveview showing a guide and sewing apparatus for layers of fabric to whichthe present invention is applicable,

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the device according to theinvention for effecting orientation of the layers of fabric to be sewn,

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing greater detail of the tracks,carriages and clamping means for orienting and advancing the work to thesewing machine,

FIG. 4 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 3 but showing the switchingand pneumatic means for returning the carriages and clamping devices totheir starting positions, and

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatical view of the circuitry for controlling thecomplete apparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT With reference to FIG. 1,numeral 1 identifies a working plate on which work 2 is movable andformed by one or more layers of fabric the edges of which are inalignment.

The edges of these layers of fabric have an irregular shaped profile 3.At one end of the working plate 1 a conventional sewing machine 4 of thecut-and-seam type is attached for the forming of an overseam along andadjacent the aligned edges of the layers of fabric.

The sewing machine 4 is provided with an upper feeding device 5 locatedin front of sewing parts or elements of the sewing machine.

At the left of the sewing machine a box 6, is attached that houses theelectric controls, which will be more fully described hereinafter forstarting the electromotor 3 of the sewing machine and for the control ofother devices, yet to be described.

Extending generally upwardly from the working plate 1 a curved supportarm 7 is provided which extends over the upper portion of the sewingmachine.

Curved support arm 7 is provided with a second arm 8 which is hingedthereto and which is rotatable about a vertical axis. The second arm 8also includes a handle 10 for effecting manual movement thereof.

The second arm 8 has a guide means including two parallel tracks 11 and12 extending therefrom which are disposed in spaced and parallelrelation to the working plate 1.

A carriage 13 is slidably carried on track 11 and includes a clampingdevice generally indicated by numeral 14 having a jaw member 15 disposedfor engagement with work on the working plate 1 and which, by suitablemeans not shown, is attached to a support plate 50 (FIG. 3). Operativelyassociated with jaw member 15 a pivotable jaw member 16 is provided thatis carried on an arm 51 of a bell crank type lever 52 which is mountedon a pivot 53 having one end thereof fixed to the support plate 50. Theopposite arm of this bell crank lever 52 is identified by numeral 54 andis pivotably connected to a piston 55 that is carried in a pneumaticcylinder 56.. This pneumatic cylinder 56 is also carried on the supportplate 50 by any suitable means not shown. The pneumatic cylinder 56receives its source of air through a flexible line or tube 96 having aplurality of spiral windings which enable it to follow the carriage 13during the latters movement on track 11.

In diametrically opposed relation to the arm 51 of the bell crank lever52 a hook 17 is provided having a detent 57 integrally formed on itsfree end that is adapted to engage a detent 58 of conformingconfiguration of a bracket 18 which is fixed to a stop member 19assembled on track 11 (FIG. 1).

With reference to FIG. 3 the support plate 50 has additional platemembers assembled thereto which are depicted by numerals 59 and 60.These plate members 59 and 60 carry rollers 61 which are disposed forengagement with the top and side surfaces of track 11 and serve to guidethe carriage 13 in its movement along said track 11 as well as toprevent its possible tilting thereon.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, plate member 60 is adapted to depress anactuator 62 of the microswitch 20 and is effective in actuating insequence a pneumatic cylinder 56 and the pneumatic propelling device 21.

Above the carriage 13 an L shaped block member 63 is provided having ahorizontally extending blind hold 64 into which the pneumatic propellingdevice 21 is caused to enter as the carriage l3 approaches the limit ofits travel. Upon entry into the blind hole 64 the pneumatic propellingunit 21 is timed to release a jet of air under pressure and is effectivein returning the carriage 13 to its starting position on track 1 1whereat detent 57 engages detent 58 carried by the bracket 18. Both themicroswitch 20 and the pneumatic propelling device 21 (FIG. 4) aresupported on a bracket 65 having slots 66 for adjustable attachment tothe second arm 8 by any suitable means such as cap screws (not shown).

Track 12 slidably supports a carriage 22 thereon of a well known typeand similar to carriage 13 is provided with a clamping device 23 thefunction of which is similar to that of clamping device 14. Clampingdevice 23 is adapted to hold the work at a position intermediate itslength and particularly. when the edges of the layers of fabric to besewn have a profile of irregular configuration. Track 12 also includes alimit switch 24 which can be adjustably located on said track andincludes hooks for engagement with carriage 22.

Adjacent one end of rail 12 and in close proximity with the sewingmachine, a microswitch 25 is provided and a known pneumatic propellingunit 26 which serves to return the carriage 22 to its starting positionon track 12 where the limit switch 24 is located.

Forwardly of the upper feeding device 5 of the sewing machine, theworking plate 1, is provided with an opening 27, within which twophotoelectric cells 28 and 29 are located and aligned transversely tothe direction in which the work is advanced toward said sewing machine.Above and in vertical alignment with the photoelectric cells 28 and 29 asource of light is provided which is in the form of a lamp 30.

Both photoelectric cells 28 and 29 serve to sense variations in theprofile 3 of the work and to control the starting of a stepping motor 31which by mechanical means generally indicated by numeral 32 (FIG. 2) isoperatively connected to tracks 11 and 12 to effect their movement aboutaxis 9.

To obtain the necessary orientation of profile 3 of the work, thephotoelectric cell 29 should be energized while light to thephotoelectric cell 28 is interrupted.

With reference to FIG. 2., the mechanical means 32, which is locatedbeneath the working plate 1 includes a drive screw 33 supported at itsends by two brackets 34 fixed to the frame of the device. The means ofrotating the drive screw 33 includes an endless belt 35 interconnectingsaid screw with a gear reducer 36 and a drive belt 37 interconnectingsaid gear reducer with a stepping motor 31.

Assembled on the drive screw 33 a threaded drive member 38 is providedwhich is mounted in a support block 39 the latter of which carries asleeve 40 slidable with said support block 39 on a rod 41 that is alsosupported by brackets 34 and which is disposed in parallel and spaced inrelation to said drive screw 33.

The support block 39 also carries two guide rollers 42 in contact with aguide rod 43 parallel to the drive screw 33 and which is also supportedby the two brackets 34. This support block 39 is provided on its upperend with an arm 44 which extends upwardly through a slit 45 in theworking plate 1, and between the tracks 11 and 12.

Between the tracks 11 and 12 is fixed, by any suitable means such aswelding, 21 plate 46. Beneath plate 46 a guide 47 is provided havingopposed sides each of which are in contact with a roller 48 (one onlyshown in FIG. 2) and the interconnecting surface of said opposed sidesis in contact with another roller 49 (FIG. 2).

The two rollers 48 and the roller 49 are supported by a plate 44a fixedto the arm 44.

To describe the operation of the device an operator after closing a mainswitch 67 (FIG. 5.) on box 6 aligns the edges of the layers of fabricforming the work and inserts them under the presserfoot 97 of the sewingma chine. The actuation of a manual control 68 on box 6 then causes thepresserfoot 97 to be lowered into contact with the work. The closing ofthe hand control 68 causes the energizing of a relay 69, which closesits holding contact 70 and switches a contact 71 from the feed circuitof a relay 72 to a feed circuit of a relay 73 having a control 74preferably of the treadle type. The switching of the contact 71deenergizes the relay 72, which is normally energized to actuate asolenoid-controlled valve 75 that forms a part of the pneumatic circuitfor initiating the rise of the presserfoot upon completion of the sewingcycle. The deenergizing of relay 72 causes the opening of its contact 76and then the lowering of the presserfoot 97 into holding contact withthe forward end of the work.

At this time the operator causes the actuation of the intermediateclamping device 23 by actuating a hand control 77 to energize a relay 78which closes its holding contact 79 that is in series with themicroswitch 25 and a contact 80 provided to actuate asolenoid-controlled valve 81. This solenoid-controlled valve 81 controlsthe feeding of air to the pneumatic cylinder 23a for the intermediateclamping device 23. The closing of contact 80 effects energizing of asolenoid-controlled valve 82 in the pneumatic circuit, for feeding airto the pneumatic propelling unit 26 by actuation of microswitch 25 whenthe clamping lever 23 reaches the limit of its travel. After theoperator has positioned the work between the jaw members of the clampingdevice 14, a control 74 is actuated which effects closing of theclamping device 14 and the starting of an electric motor 98. Theactuation of the control 74 causes the energizing of relay 73 whichcloses its holding contact 83 in series with microswitch 20, and acontact 84 provided to actuate a solenoid-controlled valve 85 thatcontrols the feeding of air to the pneumatic cylinder 56 for theclamping device 14.

The closing of contact 84 effects energizing of a solenoid controlledvalve 86, in the pneumatic circuit of the pneumatic propelling device 21so as to effect its actuation when microswitch 20 is activated by theclamping device 14. In other words, the actuation of microswitches 20and 25 causes the deenergizing of the solenoid-controlled valves 86 and81 and the release of a predetermined quantity of air from the pneumaticpropelling units 21 and 26 which effects the return movement ofcarriages 13 and 23 to their initial or starting positions.

The electric motor 98 operates normally until the opening of themicroswitch 20 that is controlled by the carriage 13.

As heretofor described the profile 3 of the work is of irregularconfiguration and when a variation occurs which requires reorienting thework as it is fed to the sewing machine, light to the photoelectric cell29 is in'- terrupted and photoelectric cell 28 is exposed to the lightto effect energizing thereof. The deenergizing of photoelectric cell 29and the energizing of photoelectric cell 28 causes the actuation of thestepping motor 31.

If the profile variation exposes the photoelectric cell 28, which isnormally deenergized, to a light source it is energized effecting theclosing of a contact 89 that causes the stepping motor 31 to rotate in adirection which will effect movement of the tracks 11 and 12 6 towardthe right. This movement of the tracks 11 and 12 toward the rightcontinues until light to the photoe-. lectric cell 28 is interrupted.

The interruption of light to the photoelectric cell 28 causes it todeenergize resulting in the opening of the contact 89 and the stoppingof the stepping motor 31.

On the other hand, if a variation in the profile causes interruption oflight to the photoelectric cell 29 which is normally energized, contact91 is opened causing the stepping motor to rotate in the oppositedirection to move tracks 11 and 12 toward the left.

Although the present invention has been described in connection with apreferred embodiment, it is to be understood that modifications andvariations may be resorted to without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention as those skilled in the art will readilyunderstand. Such modifications and variations are considered to bewithin the purview and scope of the invention and the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for guiding and sewing layers of fabric along an edge ofirregular configuration comprising:

a. a working plate;

b. a sewing machine fixed to one end of said working plate;

c. a support arm extending from said working plate having rotatableguide means carried thereby in a plane parallel with and spaced fromsaid working plate;

d. means movable along said rotatable guide means for clamping thefabric and advancing the same toward said sewing machine on said workingplate;

e. sensing means carried by said working plate for detecting variationsin the edge of the layers of fabric to be sewn; and

f. drive means interconnecting said sensing means with said rotatableguide means which includes;

1. a stepping motor; and

2. means operatively connecting said stepping motor with said rotatableguide means for actuating the latter and orienting the edge of thelayers of fabric in the direction of said sewing machine in timedsequence with the operating speed thereof.

2. The apparatus for guiding and sewing layers of fabric according toclaim 1 wherein said actuating means includes a drive screw operativelyconnected to said stepping motor and rotatable in a direction controlledby the dictates of said sensing means.

3. The apparatus for guiding and sewing layers of fabric according toclaim 2 wherein said actuating means includes a threaded drive membermovable along the length of said drive screw having a support blockfixed thereon in operative association with said rotatable guide meansand movable with said threaded drive member in a direction dependentupon the direction of rotation of said drive screw.

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1. An apparatus for guiding and sewing layers of fabric along an edge ofirregular configuration comprising: a. a working plate; b. a sewingmachine fixed to one end of said working plate; c. a support armextending from said working plate having rotatable guide means carriedthereby in a plane parallel with and spaced from said working plate; d.means movable along said rotatable guide means for clamping the fabricand advancing the same toward said sewing machine on said working plate;e. sensing means carried by said working plate for detecting variationsin the edge of the layers of fabric to be sewn; and f. drive meansinterconnecting said sensing means with said rotatable guide means whichincludes;
 1. a stepping motor; and
 2. means operatively connecting saidstepping motor with said rotatable guide means for actuating the latterand orienting the edge of the layers of fabric in the direction of saidsewing machine in timed sequence with the operating speed thereof. 2.The apparatus for guiding and sewing layers of fabric according to claim1 wherein said actuating means includes a drive screw operativelyconnected to said stepping motor and rotatable in a direction controlledby the dictates of said sensing means.
 2. means operatively connectingsaid stepping motor with said rotatable guide means for actuating thelatter and orienting the edge of the layers of fabric in the directionof said sewing machine in timed sequence with the operating speedthereof.
 3. The apparatus for guiding and sewing layers of fabricaccording to claim 2 wherein said actuating meaNs includes a threadeddrive member movable along the length of said drive screw having asupport block fixed thereon in operative association with said rotatableguide means and movable with said threaded drive member in a directiondependent upon the direction of rotation of said drive screw.